The Peanut Ball is a great piece of equipment that comes in a range of sizes to suit each child’s unique size & therapeutic needs! It is a fantastic dynamic sitting option, providing a bit more stability than a standard exercise ball.

The Peanut Ball encourages weight bearing through lower extremities, while leaving the upper body free to engage in crossing midline, reaching and manipulating objects. It can be used to promote developmental positions such as prone propping, quadruped, and tall kneeling. It is also a fun tool to incorporate in dynamic balance challenges for older children!

1. Sitting Strength

We use the Peanut Ball as an alternative sitting option to address trunk strength & stability as well as postural awareness and alignment. Note in straddle sit the child is able to maintain feet flat with hips, knees & ankles at approximately 90 degree angles. This is optimal for active sitting. Pictured above, the child is able to engage abdominal & back musculature while interacting with toy placed on top of cube chair.

We can change the size of the Peanut Ball to facilitate proper positioning for each child. Here we utilize the peanut ball to promote postural control as child uses theraband to engage upper body strength & stability.

2. Prone Extension

Prone over the Peanut Ball is a wonderful way to encourage shoulder stability and strength as the child pushes up off the surface using upper extremities as well as trunk musculature. 

3. Quadruped 

We can use the Peanut Ball to promote quadruped positioning (weight bearing through hands and knees).  

4. Peanut Ball Bridge

Utilizing the Peanut Ball as a dynamic support during bridging exercise is a fantastic way to challenge lower extremity & trunk musculature. We can promote full weight bearing through feet, which is especially great for children who present with toe walking, providing additional proprioceptive input through lower extremity joints!

5. Dynamic Sit to Stand

The peanut ball is a wonderful dynamic surface to practice sit to stand transition. We start with child side sitting on ball. We can use visual cues on floor for foot placement like these tactile footprints. This encourages child to begin transition by engaging trunk musculature before weight bearing through legs. As child rises into standing, we can promote proper biomechanics, fluid weight shifting and motor patterning. 

For more activity ideas check out Five Fun Activities with Dyna Discs!

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